Ethan Allen shareholder Bergeron proposes Stefanie Tsen Ward as interim CEO ahead of annual meeting
ETD•Doug Bergeron proposed Stefanie Tsen Ward as Ethan Allen’s interim CEO after the 2026 annual meeting, contingent on his slate’s election. Bergeron and his affiliates and associates beneficially own approximately 5.2% of the company’s outstanding common stock.
1. CEO proposal
Bergeron’s slate plans a 100-day strategic review and a search for a permanent CEO, with Ward overseeing day-to-day operations if the slate is elected. Under the plan, current CEO Farooq Kathwari would take a non-voting chairman emeritus advisory role; incumbents have proposed that he remain CEO until mid-2027.
2. Board challenge
Ward is one of Bergeron’s five director nominees. Bergeron said all three leading independent proxy advisory firms recommended removing Kathwari from the board, citing leadership and oversight concerns.
